Shock absorber



April 11, 1933.

"E, G. GUNN SHOCK ABSORBER Filed Oct. 26 1925 -2 Sheets-Sheet l Ill:

#f lA 2///////////////////V///Z////////VMV 1 1 \\\\\\\\V\V\\\\\\\ 'l Y Patented Apr. 11, 1933 UNITED STATES anni.4 e. sonni, or RACINE, WISCONSIN 1 4 i y snoei: ABSORBER Application lled OctoberV 26,1925. VSerial No. 64,948.

The invention relates to shock absorbers of the hydraulic type more particularly ydesigned for use in connection .with motor vehicles and functioning to prevent too violent recoil of the springs when subjectedtodefiections.

It is the object of the invention to obtain `a construction which permits great freedom of action of the vehicle springs inthe performance of the normal function while at the same time effectually preventing anyviolent throwing of the vehicle due to spring recoil and to this end the invention consists in the construction as hereinafter set forth;

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a vehicle frame showing my improved shock absorber applied thereto. Figure 2 is a plan view thereof. Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectlon. Figure 4 is an enlarged section of a portion of Figure 3 showing a slightly modified arrangement. v f

Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal section n of a modified construction.

As has been stated, my Vimprovement 1s designed to permit the free functioning of the vehicle springs excepting where this would result in the throwing of the vehicle body, for PTO instance, if one of the wheels passesV over a slight depression in the road bed, the sprmg is not restrained from moving `the wheel int'o the depression independent of anymovement of the body. Again, if one of theV wheels passes quickly overa sudden rise or humpY in the pavement, the spring is not restrained from functioning in either its upward or` downward movement. On the other hand, where the flexion of the spring is less rapid so as to permit the overcoming of theinertia of the vehicle body'and the displacement of the same, this will throw into action the'shock absorber which restrains the recoil of the spring and the amount of restraint is proportional to the amplitude of deflection.

As specifically shown, A is a portion of a vehicle frame; B one of the vehicle springs supported on the a-Xle C, and D is my'improved shockV absorber., This comprises a casing E which is preferably bolted or otherwise firmly anchored to the frame member A, said casing constituting Va reservoir Ifor the oil or other fluid used vas the resistance medium. Within this casing is a cylinder yF having a piston G slidably engaging the same and 55 Vyieldably forced outward by afspring H. I

.is a valve preferably of the poppet type controlling alarge port J at the bottomof the cylinder and. communicating with the .chamber outside the same. This valve is normally yieldably held to its seat by aspring K but is permitted `to open whenever the piston is moved outward bythe spring H; Y i

Extending transverselyof the casing A and Journaled in bearings therein is a rock shaft 0.5 L which at its outer end has a'rock Varm M connected by the link -N to theaxle or`other unsprung part. `lVithinA the casing the shaft L has mounted thereon the 'rock arm O which bears against the top of the pistonV Gand 70 is adapted fto depress the same againstthe resistance of the springH. P is a cylinder arrangedparallel with the cylinder G and containing a slidable plunger Q which is in operative relationl to a cam R onfthe rock shaft L. S is a "springvarranged within-a recess in the plunger Q andbearing against a valve T controlling fanoutlet passage U fronrthe cylinder F. The arrangement is such that the opening of the valve-Tis yield- 480 ably resisted bythe springs whilev the tension of this spring is determined by fthe :position of the plunger Q, displaced by the cam R. Furthermore, the cam R isfso fashioned that the inward movement ofthe plunger Q .8,5 is proportional tov the outward 'movement of the piston G and-such as to'place a predetermined tension in the spring S `for resisting vthe opening of the valve T and escape of fluid through the passage U.V Thereisvalso provision for lockingtheplunger Q,- against outward movement,'this being preferably a port V in the side wall of the cylinder- P which communicatesl with the cylinder :F. Thus, whenever pressure is-developed onv the fluid in the cylinder F by an inward movement of the piston G,this`fluid pressureacting against the side of the plunger QVwill lock thelatter from movement in thecylinder.V

- VWith the construction asthus fardescribed 100' it will be apparent that when there is a relaforms an annular chamber W between said y tive movement of the aXle C and frame A this, through the link N and rock arm M will rock the shaftL which, through the arm O will actuate the piston G and through the cam R will actuate the plunger Q. T the movementof the aXle Cv is downward or away :Eromitsf normal position in relation to the frame A, such movement will, through the connections described, Aforce the plunger G downward expelling the'fluid in the cylinder F by way of the passage U and by lifting the valve T. In the normal position otpartsthere is slight resistance tothe movement of the valve T and the spring S is under slight tensin, consequently there will be only negli- 'ble resistance to the free' movement of the axle as described. On the other hand, if the Yaxle is moved upward or towards the' frame TA, this Will'permit lthe outward movement of .the piston G underactuation of the spring the-valve 1 liftingto permit the ingress -of fluid. However, during this outward movement of the piston G,'the cam R will be forcingfthe plunger Q. inward kthereby `compressing the spring S and increasing its tension. Upon reversal of direction'of movement of thepiston G and its initial inward 'lilo movement, the pressure of the fluid'in the cylinder' F will lock the plunger so as to form 'a fixed abutment for. the spring S and holding its tension to that determined by the amplitude of the inward Vmovement of the plunger. Thus, the opening of the `'valve T l'is againstthe tension of the spring S which f`will determine the resistance tothe displacement of the fluid vfrom the cylinder F and the inward movement of the piston G. It

the outward movement of the piston .G is ,but slight, there will be va correspondingly .small resistance 'to itsv inward movement whereas Va greater outward movement of the piston v G will produce a correspondingly higher resistance to its inward movement. .1

serious defect-of the construction as -thusrfar described would be the resisting of vthe return of the spring B in case the vehicle .wheel should quickly pass over an obstruc- .tion. "Whilethere would be no interference withthecompression ofthe spring B, its recoil would be retarded-even` afterv the passage of the` obstructionrwhich would permit the Y dropping of the vehicle body. I have avoided y .this ydefect by the provision of meansfor diminishing the resistance tothe displacement of the fluid from the cylinder F in proportion to the velocity of inward move- Y l For accomplishing this purpose, the hollow portion of the plunger Q is arranged to telescopically engage a stationary piston W which-forms a seat for' the valve T. This l valve for normally closing this bore. v'ment of the `plunger Q. StatedV 1n another v `way, the resistance to the recoil of the spring the wall of the cylinder P and communicating with the outside chamber. The valve T is formed with the piston T operating in a cylinder T2 -within 'the stationary piston W and one or more ports T3 establish communication between the annular chamber W and the cylinder T2. With this construction, whenever the plunger Q is moved rapidly inward the resistance tothe displacement of fluid in the annular chamber W due to the restriction of the port Xwill develop pressure on such Huid which vwill be communicated through the port T3 to the cylinder T2. The i pressure in the cylinder T2 willlift the piston .T which will overcome the tension of the spring S and lift the valve Tl sulliciently from its seat to remove resistance to displacement of the fluid from the'cylinder F. Consequently there willbe no appreciable resistance to the "free movement of the parts whenever velocity of movement is suliciently high which permits the vehicle springs to function without restraint under such conditions.

A modifie/d arrangement for 'providing av spring 12surrounds the portionl 10 and isV fue 'vice seated at one end on the yplunger Q and at the other end on a washer13, the latter be-4 ing supported by the annular shoulder 14 in 4thel cylinder P. A cylindrical member 15 is slidablyarranged inthe cylinder P below the shoulder 14 and has a longitudinal bore therein open Vat the bottom to the outside chamber and extending upward to receive the meter- 'ing pin 11.l `Themember15 is supported by a coilspring 16 whichv normally holds the same upward with the annular flange 17 seating on v the lower end of the cylinder Q. 18 is a latiio- Y eral aperture'extendingthrough the wall of y the member 15 and communicatingiwith a larger aperture 19in the wall'of the cylinder F. The member 15 is also provided with a longitudinal Vbore 20 extending parallelto the central bore and a washer .21 Vforms a check With this modified construction, the fluid from the cylinder F escapes to the outside chamber Vby way of apertures 19 'and 18y and the amount of restriction to the' flow of the liquid is determinedA by the position of the metering pin 11fwhich, in turn, is dependent upon the vposition of the plunger Q as deter-y mined by the cam R. When the movement rol of the plunger Q is rapid, a pressure is -built lup in the chamber 22 surrounding the portion 10 and this pressure forces ythe cylindrical memberl downward Vagainst theaction of spring 16 thereby enlarging the restriction introduced bI the metering pin 11 and permitting more fly id to escape from the cylinder F. Thel upward movement of the plunger Q is unrestricted due to the provision of the check valve 21 which permits the liquid to lill the chamber 22 by way of the bore 20. One of the features of this construction is that the pressure in the cylinder F not only locks the plunger Q as in the modification firstdescribed, but also locks theV cylindrical member 15 by reason of the Apressure acting laterally through the enlarged aperture 19. It

will be apparent therefore that the amount of resistance to the escape of the fluid from the cylinderFand consequentlythe amount of snubbing of the return movement of spring B is determined by two factors, irst, the setting of the plunger Q and meteringpin 11 which depends upon the amplitude of movement o f the spring B when deected by road conditions and second, the position of the co-operating member 15y which depends upon the velocity of movement of the spring. f

VVh'at I claim as my invention is: v

1. The `combination with a stationary member and an oscillatory member movable with neglibe resistance-in either of opposlte directions from a yneutral position with respect to said stationary member, of means reacting between said members but independentof any movement of said stationary member for resisting the return movement of said oscillating member from one sideof its neutral position with an undiminishing force jointly determined by the amplitude and velocity or" the free movement.

2. The combination with a. stationary member and an oscillatory-member movable with negligible resistance in either of opposite directions from a neutral position with respect to said stationary member, of means reacting between said members but independent of any movement of said stationary member for resisting return movement from a position on one side of the neutral point operable only when the velocity of free movement is less than Va pre-determined limit.

f 8. The combination withra stationary member and an oscillatory member Vmovable with negligible resistance in one direction with respect to said stationary member, of means reacting between said members but independent of any movement of said stationary member operable only when the velocity of said free movement is less than a predetermined limit for resisting return movement with an undiminishing force determined by the amplitude of said free movement.

4.. The combination with a stationary member and an oscillatory member movable with negligible resistance in either of oppositevdirections from' a neutral position with respectl to said stationary member, of means reacting between said members butindependent of any movement ofsaid'stationarymember for resisting return movement of said oscillating member from one side of its neutral Vpoint operable only when'ftheuvelocityTof free movement is less than thepredetermined limit and Awith an undiminishing force proportional to the amplitude of said .free movement. i I

5. The combination with a stationary member and an oscillatory member movable with negligible resistance in "one: direction with respect to said stationary member, of means reacting between said members but'independent 'of any movement of said stationary member operable only when-the velocity of Asaid free movement isless than a predeterminedlimit for resisting movement 1n the opposite directlonfby an undiminishlng force determined by the-amplitude of the free movement and continuing throughout the entirefmovement in the opposite direction. y 6. The combination with-a stationary member and an oscillatory member movablewith negligible resistance .in one direction with respect to said stationary member, of means reacting between said members but independ- 7. The combination with a stationary member and anoscillatory member movable lwith negligible resistance in either ofoppositefdirections from a neutral. positionwith' respect to said stationary member, of means reacting between said membersV but independent oi*l any movement of said stationary member "operable only when the velocity of free Inovement is less than arr-predetermined limit and in one direction .from theneutral point for resisting movement inthe opposite-direction by a forcev initially determined' by the vamplitude of saidv free movement continuing throughoutthe entire extent of theopposite movement and terminating on reversal of mvo-vement.

8. The combination with a stationarylmemy ber and an oscillatory member movable with .negligible resistance 1n eitherV ofopposite d1- `rections from a neutralposltlon with lrespect to said stationary 1nember,'of means reacting between said members but independent vof any movement of said stationary member for resisting return Vfrom amovement in one direction by` an undiminishing force. determined -by the amplitude, of thefree movement, andV frio means operativewlien theA velocity of free Vmovement is greater than a predetermined .movement of the piston is more than a predetermined limit for neutralizing said `increased resistance force. f

10. vThe combination with a relativelyoscilatory piston and fluid containing cylindeiyof. means permitting displacement of fluid with a negligible .resistanceupon movement of said piston in either direction from a neutralposition,'means set in operation by a movement ofvsaid piston in one direction for increasing the force of resistance to fluid displacement yby the opposite movement of v said piston and proportional to the amplifao tude of free movement,and means operated by the first mentionedemovement of said pis'- ton at a velocity abovea predetermined limit for neutralizing said increased resistance force whereby free return movement of said piston is permitted.

11. The combination withfa relatively oscillatory piston and fluid containing cylinder, of'means permitting fluid displacement with a negligible resistance by a movement of said piston 'in either direction from its neutral position, meansfor increasing resistance to displacement of fluid by the return movement of said piston'in one direction determined by the velocity and amplitude of' the previousmovement of said piston inthe opposite direction.

12. The combinationwvith a relatively os-` cillatory piston and fluid containing. cylinder provided with ports for ingress and egress of fluid, of valves controlling said ports with a negligible resistance, means operating upon movement of said piston in one direction for increasing resistance to the movement of the valve controlling the displacement of the rfluid by a movement of the piston in the opposite direction, the amount of saidresistyanceforce being determined by the amplitude of the first movement of said piston, and `means operating when they velocity of said first movement is above a predetermined limit for resisting return Amovement of .said member from one side of its neutral position inversely-proportional to theV velocity of the free movement. Y Y

14:.: The combination with aY` stationary member andl an oscillatory member movable with negligible resistance in one direction with respect to said stationaryinember, of means reacting between said members but independent of any movement yof said station- .ary member for resisting return movement of 'with' negligible resistance in one direction with respect to said stationary member,of e

means reacting between said members butindependent of any movement of said stationary member for resisting return movement of said member by a force continuing in full throughout said movement and inversely proportional to the velocity of the free movement.v f

17. In a shock absorber, the combination of two members relatively movable in either of opposite directions from a neutral position with negligible resistance, and means for resisting return movement of said members from one side of said neutral position withV an undiminishing force jointly determined by the amplitude and velocity of the first mentioned movement. f

18. In a shock absorber, the combination with a relatively movable cylinder and piston, of-means for admitting fluid tothe cyl-` inder upon the outward movement of the piston, means permitting escape of fluid from the cylinder upon the inward movement of 'the piston and means for resisting said escape of fluid withA a variable but undiminishing force jointly determined by the velocity and amplitude-y of said outward movemen EARL G. GUNN.

for neutralizing .saidresistance force to permit unresisting displacement of the fluid.

13. The combination with a stationary member and an oscillatory member movable with negligible resistance in opposite direcof any movement of said stationary member ioo 

